Double flow heat exchanger device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device ( 1 ) enabling the exchange of heat between a first fluid ( 2 ) and a second fluid ( 3 ) flowing counter current through the device, comprising: an outer casing ( 4 ) sealed against the two fluids, having a long shape that extends between first ( 7 ) and second ( 9 ) ends; a wall ( 5 ) enabling heat exchange between the fluids, housed inside the outer casing; a first inlet ( 6 ) for the first fluid ( 2 ), formed at the first end ( 7 ) of the outer casing; a second inlet ( 8 ) for the second fluid ( 3 ), formed at the second end ( 9 ) of the outer casing ( 4 ) opposite the first end ( 7 ), the aforementioned exchange wall ( 5 ) extending between the first ( 6 ) and second ( 8 ) fluid inlets; a first outlet ( 10 ) for extracting the first fluid ( 2 ) from the outer casing ( 4 ), formed in the area at the first end ( 7 ); a second outlet ( 11 ) for extracting the second fluid ( 3 ) from the outer casing ( 4 ), formed in the area at the second end ( 9 ); a first pipe ( 12 ) enabling the flow of the first fluid ( 2 ) inside the outer casing ( 4 ); and a second pipe ( 13 ) enabling the flow of the second fluid ( 3 ) inside the outer casing ( 4 ), such that (i) the second outlet ( 11 ) and the first inlet ( 6 ) and (ii) the first outlet ( 10 ) and the second inlet ( 8 ) are separated respectively by a distance equal to or greater than the length (□) of the exchange wall. The invention also relates to the different uses of the device.

The present invention relates to double flow heat exchanger devices,between at least one first and one second fluid, said devices including:

-   -   an outer casing sealed against the first and second fluids,    -   at least one partition wall enabling the exchange of heat        between the first and second fluids, said wall being housed        inside said outer casing,    -   a first inlet opening, for the first fluid, formed at a first        end of the outer casing,    -   a second inlet opening, for the second fluid, formed at a second        end of the outer casing, opposite the first end of said casing,    -   said outer casing having a long shape that extends between its        first and second ends,    -   said exchange wall extending between said first and said second        fluid inlet openings,    -   a first outlet opening, for extracting the first fluid from the        outer casing,    -   a second outlet opening, for extracting the second fluid from        the outer casing,    -   a first pipe enabling the first fluid to flow inside the outer        casing between the first inlet opening and the first outlet        opening of said first fluid, part of the wall of said pipe being        made up by a first face of said exchange wall,    -   a second pipe enabling the second fluid to flow inside the outer        casing between the second inlet opening and the second outlet        opening of said second fluid, part of the wall of said pipe        being made up by a second face of said exchange wall opposite        the first face,    -   said first and second fluids being intended to flow in a        counter-current manner on both sides of the exchange wall.

The prior art teaches of an exchanger of this type. One disadvantage ofthis type of exchanger is that the inputs and outlets of the first andsecond fluids are respectively grouped in twos, resulting in a loss inexchanger performance. In fact, on account of the fluids flowing in acounter-current manner on the two opposite faces of the exchange wall,the input of one fluid and the output of the other are situated in closeproximity to each other, resulting in the possibility of the two fluidsbecoming mixed together.

For example, document GB-A-2 373 849 relating to a heat exchanger asdescribed above, is known.

A main objective of the present invention is to improve the performancesof this type of exchanger.

More precisely, the present invention, applied to a device enabling theexchange of heat such as defined in the preamble of the present paper,is characterized in that:

-   -   said first outlet opening, for the first fluid, is formed in the        region of said first end of the outer casing,    -   said second outlet opening, for the second fluid, is formed in        the region of said second end of the outer casing,    -   in such a manner that said second outlet opening for the second        fluid, and    -   said first inlet opening, for the first fluid, are separated by        a distance equal to or greater than the length of the exchange        wall, and    -   in such a manner that said first outlet opening for the first        fluid, and said second inlet opening, for the second fluid, are        separated by a distance equal to or greater than the length of        the exchange wall.

The present invention, in bringing closer the inputs and outputs of asame fluid, at the same end of the casing, whilst doing the same thingfor the other fluid at the other end of the casing, enables a sufficientdistance to be created between the openings of the two fluids, equal toor greater than the length of the exchange wall, allowing the mixing ofthe fluids to be minimized and thus increasing the performances of theexchanger.

According to one advantageous characteristic,

-   -   said first inlet opening for the first fluid, and said second        outlet opening for the second fluid, are situated on a same        first side of said outer casing,    -   said second inlet opening for the second fluid, and said first        outlet opening for the first fluid, being situated on a same        second side of said outer casing, opposite the first side.

This characteristic allows the openings on the outer casing to bearranged so as to be able to install the device in a layer of materialthat includes two opposite faces, the inlet opening of the first fluidand the outlet opening of the second fluid opening out onto a first faceof the material, the input opening of the second fluid and the outletopening of the first fluid opening out onto the second face of thematerial opposite the first face.

According to an advantageous characteristic:

-   -   said first pipe for the first fluid includes a first segment        that extends along the exchange wall without contacting said        exchange wall, and    -   said second pipe for the second fluid includes a second segment        that extends along the exchange wall, without contacting said        exchange wall.

This characteristic allows a part of the pipe to be provided for eachfluid, which allows the temperature of the fluid to be modified in termsof the temperature of the material in which the device is installed,more especially of the temperature of the environment in contact withsaid part of the pipe via the outer casing, by means of conductionacross the walls of said part of the pipe, before or after its passagealong the wall.

According to an advantageous characteristic:

-   -   said first segment extends from the exchange wall as far as the        first outlet opening, following the exchange wall and parallel        to said exchange wall, and in that    -   said second segment extends from the exchange wall as far as the        second outlet opening, following the exchange wall and parallel        to said exchange wall.

This characteristic allows a better output of the exchanger to beobtained, in that the first segment, which conveys the incoming fluid,is at a temperature close to that of the outgoing fluid, after havingpassed along the exchange wall, and therefore there is no thermalexchange or only a little thermal exchange with the first segment, andthe second segment, which conducts the outgoing fluid, is also at atemperature close to that of the incoming fluid, after having passedalong the exchange wall, and therefore in this case also, there is nothermal exchange or only a little thermal exchange with the secondsegment.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the device according to theinvention also comprises:

-   -   a first insulating wall disposed between the exchange wall and        said first segment of the first pipe, and    -   a second insulating wall disposed between the exchange wall and        said second segment of the second pipe,    -   said first and said second insulating walls being disposed on        both sides of the exchange wall and at least along the length of        said exchange wall.

This characteristic allows a better output of the exchange wall to beensured, by insulating said exchange wall so that the transfer of heatbetween the fluids that move over the partition wall, suffers the leastpossible loss.

According to an advantageous characteristic,

-   -   said first inlet opening for the first fluid and said first        outlet opening for the first fluid are disposed on the outer        casing approximately in an opposite manner, so that the inlet        and the outlet of the first fluid are approximately carried out        following a first direction perpendicular or approximately        perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of extension of the outer        casing with a long shape, and in that    -   said second inlet opening for the second fluid and said second        outlet opening for the second fluid are disposed on the outer        casing approximately in an opposite manner, so that the inlet        and outlet of the second fluid are approximately carried out        following a second direction perpendicular or approximately        perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of extension of the outer        casing with a long shape.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said first and said seconddirections are parallel or approximately parallel.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the exchange deviceaccording to the invention also comprises valve means that are capableof sealing said second pipe at the outlet of the first face of saidexchange wall so as to divert the second fluid, or the outgoing fluid,in said first pipe, in order to move said outgoing fluid over the secondface of said exchange wall.

This characteristic gives the device according to the invention acapacity for de-icing, from a flow of air leaving a room, at a highertemperature than the incoming air, over the two faces of the exchangewall in order to de-ice it.

According to an advantageous characteristic as an alternative to thepreceding one, the device according to the invention also compriseselectric resistance means disposed in said first pipe in the vicinity ofthe first inlet opening, so as to reheat the first fluid or the incomingfluid before it moves along the exchange wall.

This characteristic allows the use of a solenoid valve for de-icingpurposes to be avoided, whilst maintaining this function. It also allowsthe use of a cartridge structure for access to the filters and to theelectric fans, and where applicable to the solenoid valve, to beavoided.

According to an advantageous characteristic as an alternative to thepreceding one, the device according to the invention includes electricresistance means disposed in said second pipe in the vicinity of thesecond inlet opening for the second fluid, so as to supply an injectionof heat to the second fluid or outgoing fluid before it moves along theexchange wall.

This characteristic allows an injection of heat to be realized in theoutgoing air within the framework of the de-icing function, which willbe transferred in part to the incoming air via the exchange wall. Thisinjection of heat to the outgoing air provides the advantage ofincreased output as it is done at a position of the device that is atroom temperature.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the device according to theinvention also comprises:

-   -   first filtering means for the first fluid, disposed in the outer        casing across said first pipe enabling the first fluid to flow        in the outer casing, between the inlet opening of the first        fluid in the outer casing and the inlet of the first fluid on        the exchange wall, and    -   second filtering means for the second fluid, disposed in the        outer casing across said second pipe enabling the second fluid        to flow in the outer casing, between the inlet opening of the        second fluid in the outer casing and the inlet of the second        fluid on the exchange wall.

This characteristic allows any clogging up of the exchange wall, both bythe incoming fluid and by the outgoing fluid, to be avoided or reducedand also allows the incoming fluid to be purified by means of filtrationwhen the device is placed as a ventilation means in a room in a house.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the device according to theinvention also comprises at least one of the first and second electricfan means below:

-   -   first electric fan means disposed in said first pipe, so as to        generate a flow of the first fluid in said first pipe, and    -   second electric fan means disposed in said second pipe, so as to        generate a flow of the second fluid in said second pipe.

This characteristic allows the fluid flow crossing through the device tobe increased, by forcing said flow through forced convection by means ofat least one electric fan. It should be noted that one single electricfan, on one of the pipes can be enough, in this case the other fluidbeing set in motion by balancing the pressures between the outsideenvironment, into which the outgoing fluid is rejected, and the insideenvironment, into which the incoming fluid is introduced.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the device according to theinvention also comprises electricity generating means, disposed at leastin part in front of said first inlet opening, and/or in front of saidsecond outlet opening, so as to supply said first and said secondelectric fan means with electricity in an independent manner.

This characteristic allows the device according to the invention to havean independent provision of energy, which makes it possible for it to beinstalled in a site that is not supplied by traditional electric power,or even to be installed in a site that is supplied with electricity butto installed in a manner independent from this supply; thus, it will beeasier to install the device according to the invention, for example,into existing structures without having to modify the on-site powerdistribution. The defined layout of the electricity generating meansallows for both good accessibility to the means, whilst providingoutside exposure of the same, for example to the sun. Moreover, thesemeans allow the openings to be protected against the weather so as toavoid materials transported by the wind ingressing into the pipes of thedevice, or to reduce, even avoid changes in the ventilation behaviour ofthe device in the event of a gust of wind or a storm.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said electricity generatingmeans comprise photovoltaic cells.

This characteristic allows the sun to be used as a source of energy tosupply the electric fan or fans.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the device according to theinvention includes means for draining off the condensates through saidfirst inlet opening of the first fluid.

These means will be described in more detail further below with anexemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, but cannotably be implemented by arranging the longitudinal axis of the outercasing of the device in an inclined manner such that the condensates arepreferably drained off through the inlet opening of the first fluidfollowing an outflow by gravity through the device, the first fluidbeing the incoming fluid of a structure where the device according tothe invention is used as a ventilation device or the like in saidstructure.

The invention also relates to a use of a device enabling the exchange ofheat according to the invention, characterized in that said exchangedevice is associated with a room in a house, offices or the like, so asto enable individualized ventilation of said room:

-   -   said first fluid being the fluid coming into said room,    -   said second fluid being the fluid leaving said room,    -   said first inlet opening and said second outlet opening, of the        first and second fluids respectively, opening out onto the        outside of the house, offices or the like, and    -   said second inlet opening and said first outlet opening, of the        second and first fluids respectively, opening out onto the        inside of said room.

The device according to the invention, thanks to its independentaeraulic structure, allows individualized ventilation of a room, thuseasily being able to adapt the ventilation in terms of the independentrequirements of each room, contrary to centralized ventilation whichdoes not allow for any independent differentiation between theventilation conditions of each room. In addition, the individualizedventilation devices according to the invention allow a saving to be madecompared with the installation of pipework necessary for the centralizedventilation system, and therefore allow the risks of developing bacteriain this pipework to be eliminated, as well as reducing a risk ofdeveloping bacteria because the length of the pipework provided for theindividualized ventilation device is minimized. In addition, theindividualized ventilation device according to the invention allows thedangers of water leaks in the roofing to be avoided by means of zoneinlets and delivery in the roofing. In addition, supplies forindividualized ventilation devices according to the invention, for abuilding, are less expensive than those for centralized ventilation.Individual control of the temperature of each room in a building bymeans of individualized ventilation devices according to the inventionallows economies of power to be made compared with centralizedventilation which standardizes the temperature in the house and does notallow for different temperatures in each room.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said device enabling theexchange of heat is installed in the thickness of a partition wall or awall forming said room, or is secured to the inside surface of saidpartition wall.

This characteristic allows the ventilation device to be made verydiscrete, such that the only visible elements on the outside are thedevice inlet/outlet openings. Installation in the thickness of a wall orthe like is made possible by the long structure of the outer casing andnotably by the combined structure of the device based on an exchangewall that is arranged between the openings.

According to an advantageous characteristic, when:

-   -   said first segment extends from the exchange wall as far as the        first outlet opening, following the exchange wall and parallel        to said exchange wall, and    -   said second segment extends from the exchange wall as far as the        second outlet opening following the exchange wall and parallel        to said exchange wall, then said exchange device is installed in        a wall, and    -   said first fluid or the incoming fluid flows, in comparison to        its direction of flow along the exchange wall, in a        counter-current manner in said first segment that extends from        the outlet of the exchange wall as far as the first outlet        opening, and    -   said second fluid or the outgoing fluid flows, in comparison to        its direction of flow along the exchange wall, in a        counter-current manner in said second segment that extends from        the outlet of the exchange wall as far as the second opening.

According to an advantageous characteristic, depending of the precedingone, said first segment is disposed between the exchange wall and thesurface of the wall in contact with the inside environment.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the device enabling theexchange of heat according to the invention is installed in, orassociated with, one of the following elements:

-   -   a lintel of an opening of said room, of the window, door or        French window type, or the like,    -   a roller blind box,    -   a frame of an opening that has an opening frame or a fixed frame

The long configuration of the outer casing of the device according tothe invention allows original and functional measures to be provided forthis latter when it is installed in a house or the like.

According to an advantageous characteristic, a longitudinal axis of thedevice enabling the exchange of heat according to the invention isdisposed horizontally or approximately horizontally.

The term approximately horizontal here refers to the possibility of aslight inclination of the device compared with the horizontal, thefunction of which would be to drain the condensates away from the deviceby means of gravity.

According to an advantageous characteristic, a longitudinal axis of thedevice enabling the exchange of heat according to the invention isdisposed vertically or approximately vertically.

This characteristic allows the device enabling the exchange of heataccording to the invention to be disposed along a post (upright) of adoor, window, French window or the like.

Other characteristics will appear when reading the following exemplaryembodiments of a device enabling the exchange of heat according to theinvention, and of uses of said device, accompanied by the appendeddrawings, examples which are given for illustrative purposes and whichare in no way restrictive.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a horizontal longitudinalsectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a device enabling theexchange of heat according to the invention, installed in a buildingwall, following the line I-I in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a cross sectional view of thefirst example in FIG. 1, according to the line II-II in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a longitudinal sectional viewof a second exemplary embodiment of a device enabling the exchange ofheat according to the invention, installed in a building wall, in afirst operating position.

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the example in FIG. 3, ina second operating position.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a horizontal longitudinalsectional view following the line V-V in FIG. 7, of a third exemplaryembodiment of a device enabling the exchange of heat according to theinvention, installed in a building wall.

FIG. 6 shows a vertical longitudinal sectional view following the lineVI-VI in FIG. 7, of the example in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a cross sectional view of thethird example in FIG. 5, according to the line VII-VII shown in FIG. 5or 6.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a cross sectional view of anexample of a use of a device enabling an exchange according to theinvention.

The device represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a device 1 enabling theexchange of heat between a first 2 and a second 3 fluid, the incomingfluid 2 and the outgoing fluid 3 respectively, taking air as an example,advantageously installed in the thickness of a wall 41 of a building,for example a wall 41 that separates the outside environment 42 of thebuilding from the inside 43 of a room in a house, and includes:

-   -   an outer casing 4 sealed against the first 2 and second 3        fluids,    -   in an advantageous manner a wall 5 enabling the exchange of heat        between the incoming 2 and outgoing 3 fluids, said wall being        housed inside the outer casing 4,    -   a first inlet opening 6, for the incoming fluid 2, formed at a        first end 7 of the outer casing 4,    -   a second inlet opening 8, for the outgoing fluid 3, formed at a        second end 9 of the outer casing 4, opposite the first end 7 of        said casing,    -   said outer casing 4 having a long shape that extends between its        first 7 and second 9 ends,    -   the exchange wall 5 that extends between the first 6 and second        8 fluid inlet openings 2,3,    -   a first outlet opening 10, for extracting the incoming fluid 2        from the outer casing 4,    -   a second outlet opening 11, for extracting the outgoing fluid 3        from the outer casing 4,    -   a first pipe 12 enabling the incoming fluid 2 to flow inside the        outer casing 4 between the inlet opening 6 and the outlet        opening 10 of said incoming fluid, part of the partition wall of        said pipe being made up by a first face of the exchange wall 5,    -   a second pipe 13 enabling the outgoing fluid 3 to flow inside        the outer casing 4 between the inlet opening 8 and the outlet        opening 11 of said outgoing fluid, part of the partition wall of        said pipe being made up by a second face of the exchange wall 5        opposite the first face,    -   the incoming and outgoing fluids being intended to flow in a        counter-current manner on both sides of the exchange wall 5,    -   the first outlet opening 10 for the incoming fluid 2 being        formed in the region of the first end 7 of the outer casing 4,    -   the second outlet opening 11 for the outgoing fluid 3 being        formed in the region of the second end 9 of the outer casing 4,    -   in such a manner that the second outlet opening 11 for the        outgoing fluid 3, and the first inlet opening 6 for the incoming        fluid 2, are separated by a distance equal to or greater than        the length a of the exchange wall, and    -   in such a manner that the first outlet opening 10 for the        incoming fluid 2, and the second inlet opening 8, for the        outgoing fluid 3, are separated by a distance equal to or        greater than the length a of the exchange wall.

The term incoming fluid 2 refers in the example to the air that flowsthrough the device 1, passing from the outside 42 of the buildingtowards the inside 43 of said building, and the term outgoing fluid 3refers to the air that flows through the device 1 passing from theinside 43 of the building towards the outside 42 of said building, asrepresented in FIG. 1.

The outer casing 4 can be realized in any preferably rigid material, forexample in the form of a long plastic or metal case 50, preferably inthe shape of a right prism, for example with a hollow cross section,preferably polygonal, for example square or rectangular, defining in anadvantageous manner a parallelepipedic, strip-shaped case 4, including,for example, four lateral faces at right angles and two end faces, onwhich are formed the openings 6, 11, 8, 10 as defined above and below.Typically, the length of the case will be, for example, in the order of1 to 3 meters, preferably between 1 m and 2 m.

The outer casing 4 will be able to include two tubes 64, 65 integralwith the casing and intended for passing through a wall in which oragainst which the device 1 is intended to be secured. The two tubes 64and 65 are, for example, perpendicular to the face 30 of the casing 4that faces the outside 42, as represented in FIG. 1, and are preferablypositioned, respectively at two angles to the face 30 as shown in FIGS.1 and 2, more generally at two angles to the outer casing 4, when thefirst 12 and second 13 pipes finish or start respectively at said twoangles, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2, so as, in anadvantageous manner, to allow condensates to flow away from the device 1by means of gravity, whether the outer casing 4 is disposed horizontallyor vertically. However, the tubes 64, 65 will preferably form an anglein excess of 90° with said face 30 following two perpendicular planesbetween them and perpendicular to said face 30 (not shown), so as, in anadvantageous manner, to allow or to improve the flow of condensates outof the device 1, preferably through the opening 6 at the end of tube 64,whatever the mounted position of the device 1, vertical or horizontal.The free ends of the tubes 64, 65 respectively form the inlet and outletopenings 6 and 11 of the fluids 2, 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the flow ofcondensates can be ensured by any appropriate inclination 70 so as todrain the condensates away towards the outside of the casing 4,preferably through the inlet opening 6 of the first fluid 2 that opensout onto the outside 42.

In an advantageous manner, as shown in FIG. 1,

-   -   the inlet opening 6 for the incoming fluid 2, and the outlet        opening 11 for the outgoing fluid 3, are situated on a same        first side 30 of the outer casing 4, for example on a same face        of the strip-shaped case, facing towards the outside 42, and    -   the inlet opening 8 for the outgoing fluid 3, and the outlet        opening 10 for the outgoing (incoming?) fluid 2, are situated on        a same second side 31 of the outer casing 4, opposite the first        side 30, facing the inside 43 of the building, for example the        lateral face 31 of the strip-shaped case, opposite its lateral        face 30.

In an advantageous manner, as shown in FIG. 1,

-   -   the first pipe 12 for the incoming fluid 2 includes a first        segment 14 that extends along the exchange wall 5, following the        longitudinal axis 21 of the case 4, without contacting said        exchange wall, and being separated from the exchange wall 5 by        means of a first insulating wall 18 disposed, therefore, between        said exchange wall 5 and the first segment 14 of the first pipe        12;    -   the second pipe 13 for the outgoing fluid 3 includes a second        segment 16 that extends along the exchange wall 5, following the        longitudinal axis 21 of the case 4, without contacting said        exchange wall, and being separated from the exchange wall 5 by        means of a second insulating wall 19 disposed, therefore,        between said exchange wall 5 and the second segment 16 of the        second pipe 13.

The first 18 and second 19 insulating walls are thus advantageouslydisposed on both sides of the exchange wall 5 and along said exchangewall.

In an advantageous manner, as shown in FIG. 1,

-   -   the first segment 14 extends from the exchange wall 5 as far as        the first outlet opening 10, following the exchange wall and        parallel to said exchange wall, more particularly from the        outlet 15 of the exchange wall 5 for the first fluid 2 as far as        the first outlet opening 10,    -   the second segment 16 extends from the exchange wall 5 as far as        the second outlet opening 11, following the exchange wall and        parallel to said exchange wall, more particularly from the        outlet 17 of the exchange wall 5 for the second fluid 3 as far        as the second outlet opening 11.

The insulating walls 18, 19 can be obtained in an advantageous mannerfrom any insulating material that is light, for example expandedpolystyrene, polyurethane, insulating foam, or the like.

In an advantageous manner, as represented in FIG. 1,

-   -   the inlet opening 6 and the outlet opening 10 for the incoming        fluid 2 are disposed on the case 4 approximately in an opposite        manner, so that the entry of the incoming fluid 2 into the        device and its outlet from the device 1 are approximately        carried out following a first direction 20 perpendicular or        approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 21 of        extension of the long strip-shaped case 4, and    -   the inlet opening 8 and the outlet opening 11 for the outgoing        fluid 3 are disposed on the case 4 approximately in an opposite        manner, so that the inlet of the outgoing fluid 3 in the device        1 and its outlet from the device are approximately carried out        following a second direction 22 perpendicular or approximately        perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 21 of extension of the long        strip-shaped case 4.

The first 20 and second 22 directions thus defined are advantageouslyparallel or approximately parallel, allowing for the inputs andextractions of the air flows 2, 3 on the two opposite faces 40 and 44 ofthe wall 41, and perpendicularly to said faces, as represented in FIG.1.

The exchange wall 5, in an advantageous manner, has a planar form,preferably in the manner of an accordion, preferably realized from asingle sheet, as represented in FIG. 2, extending approximately over thelength of the case 4 in the form of a strip, for example parallel orapproximately parallel to the longitudinal axis 21 of the case, anddefining on both sides of said wall, between the pleats of theaccordion, respectively a pipe for the incoming fluid 2 and a pipe forthe outgoing fluid 3. The exchange wall 5 can be produced in anadvantageous manner from a conductive sheet, preferably metal, forexample aluminium-based or copper-based, with a small thickness so as toimprove the performance of the exchange of heat through said wall 5between the two fluids. One essential dimension of said partition wall 5is that of its length defining approximately the length of the case 4,and another essential dimension is that of its width, developed once thesheet 5 has been flattened, the product of which defines the exchangesurface of the exchange device 1, which must be adapted to the room thatthe device 1 has to ventilate. The exchange wall 5, advantageously inthe shape of an accordion, is sandwiched between the two insulatingwalls 18 and 19 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is preferably in contactwith said two walls through the areas of the pleats of the accordion.

The device 1 represented also includes in an advantageous manner:

-   -   first filtering means 23 for the incoming fluid 2, disposed in        the outer casing or case 4 across the first pipe 12 enabling the        incoming fluid 2 to flow in the outer case 4, between the inlet        opening 6 of the incoming fluid and the inlet 24 of the incoming        fluid 2 on the exchange wall 5, and    -   second filtering means 25 for the outgoing fluid, disposed in        the outer casing 4 across the second pipe 13 enabling the        outgoing fluid 3 to flow in the outer case 4, between the inlet        opening 8 of the outgoing fluid 3 and the inlet 26 of said        outgoing fluid 3 on the exchange wall 5.

These first 23 and second 25 filtering means, in an advantageous manner,can be known-type filtering cartridges, which will preferably beaccessible from the inside face 44 of the wall 41, for example by meansof two respective access hatches (not shown) formed on the surface ofthe outer casing or case 4 towards the two end tips of said case, in therespective inlet areas of the incoming 2 and outgoing 3 fluids. To thisend, one face of the case 4, for example the face 31 that includes theopenings 8 and 10, will be able to be aligned with the inside surface 44of the wall 41, and will include the access hatches, so as to facilitatethe maintenance of the filters, by building the case 4 into the wall,either in the load-bearing material of the wall, or in the insulatinglayer of said wall. In the event of the case 4 being secured against awall, what has been said above with regard to access hatches remainsapplicable; in this case, the wall must include two through-holes toconnect the openings 6 and 11 in a fluidic manner to the outside 42. Itshould be noted that the use of individual filters for each device 1, inone building, allows maintenance savings to be made in comparison withthe filters in a much more expensive centralized ventilationinstallation.

The device 1 represented in FIG. 1 would be able to operate without anyinjection of power by means of natural convection, for example but notexclusively, when it is placed vertically along a door post; however,the device 1 represented, in an advantageous manner, also includes atleast one of the first and second electric fan means below, and in thespecific case both of them:

-   -   first electric fan means 27 disposed in the first pipe 12, so as        to generate a flow of the incoming fluid 2 in said pipe, and    -   second electric fan means 28 disposed in the second pipe 13, so        as to generate a flow of the outgoing fluid 3 in said pipe.

The electric fan means 27, 28 used are of the known type, and will beaccessible in an advantageous manner by means of the two access hatches,preferably respectively by means of the two access hatches provided forthe two filtering means, since the electric fans 27, 28 can be disposedin the case 4 respectively in the same areas as the filtering means 23,25, that is to say at the two end tips of the strip-shaped case 4, asshown in FIG. 1. The electric fans or turbines 27, 28 will be able to beinstalled in the casing 4 so as to facilitate their maintenance or theirreplacement, being extractable through the access hatches. The electricfans or turbines 27, 28 will preferably operate at 12 Volts so as toavoid risks of fire or electrocution.

In an advantageous manner, the device 1 represented also includeselectricity generating means 35, disposed at least in part in front ofthe inlet opening 6 of the incoming fluid 2, and/or in front of theoutlet opening 11 of the outgoing fluid, so as to supply the first 27and second 28 electric fan means with electricity in an independentmanner. These electricity generating means can include rechargeableelectric batteries 46, 47 included in the casing 4, for example in theareas accessible through the access hatches to the filtering means 23,25 and to the electric fans 27, 28, that is to say at the end tips ofthe casing 4, as shown in FIG. 1 and as defined above.

The electricity generating means 35, in an advantageous manner, comprisephotovoltaic cells 48, 49, disposed preferably in front of the inletopening 6 of the incoming fluid 2, and/or in front the outlet opening 11of the outgoing fluid, on the deflectors 60, 61 positioned in front ofsaid openings, as shown in FIG. 1, so as to allow the rechargeablebatteries 46, 47 to be recharged. In this case, the photovoltaic cellsare individualized for each device 1 provided in a room of the building.In an alternative manner, it is possible to supply all the devices 1 ofone building with centralized photovoltaic cells, for example arrangedon the roof of the building. All control devices (not shown) necessaryfor the operation of the electric fans, the batteries, will be able tobe installed in the casing 4, for example in an area close to thebatteries, and will be accessible via the access hatches describedabove.

The deflectors 60, 61 will preferably be able to be removable from theoutside, and will serve as fixed anti-gust filters, and, in anadvantageous manner, insect screens. They include electric connectionsockets to link the photovoltaic cells supported by the deflectors tothe control device (not shown), A locking pin 62, 63 for each deflector60, 61 respectively prevents the photovoltaic cells from being able tobecome removed from the fluid inlet 6 or outlet 11 opening. Thedeflectors 60, 61 will preferably be able to adopt any appropriate shapeand will be able to be oriented sufficiently for optimum performance ofthe photovoltaic cells that they support in terms of the orientation ofthe building. In an advantageous manner, the deflectors 60, 61 will beto adopt a planar form rotating around the axes of the pipes that formthe openings 6 and 11 on the outside face.

The power supply of the electric fans 27, 28 can, in an alternativemanner, be provided from the building mains supply network, either in acentralized manner or in an individual manner by means of low voltagetransformers, for example 12 Volts.

In an advantageous manner, the device 1 includes means for draining offthe condensates through the first inlet opening 6 of the first fluid 2.With the casing 4 in a horizontal or approximately horizontal position,these means can adopt the form of the slight inclination of the casing 4or of the appropriate internal pipe or pipes 12, 13 of the fluids 2, 3so as to ensure the condensates flow in a gravity-fed manner out of thecasing 4, preferably via the opening 6 that opens out onto the outsidesurface 40 of the wall 41 of the building. In the event that the casing4 is mounted in a vertical position, the condensates will flownaturally, preferably via the lower opening 6.

The operation of the device 1 enabling the exchange of heat representedin FIGS. 1 and 2 is as follows:

-   -   under the effect of natural convection, or of one or two        electric fans, the incoming fluid 2, which comes from the        outside environment 42, penetrates the device 1 through the        opening 6 at one end 7 of the casing 4, then flows through the        internal pipe 12, firstly passing through the filter 23 then        going onto 24 the exchange wall 5 in contact therewith and        following said wall over approximately the length of the casing        4, a journey during which the outside fluid 2 carries out the        main thermal exchange with the outgoing fluid 3, which itself        comes from the inside 43 of the building, then the incoming        fluid 2 leaves the exchange wall 5 to follow, in the reverse        direction or in a counter-current manner according to the        direction of flow along the exchange wall, the segment 14        following said exchange wall 5 but not being in contact        therewith, over approximately the length of the casing 4, then        flows into the inside 43 of the building through the opening 10        in the casing 4: when the incoming outside fluid 2 is colder        than the outgoing inside fluid 3, the main and most common use        of the exchanger, the incoming fluid 2 is reheated as it flows        over the exchange wall 5 so as to recover part of the heat of        the fluid 3 leaving the building, and the heat brought to the        incoming fluid 2 is at least conserved in the segment 14 that is        positioned closer to the inside 43 and therefore at a        temperature close to the inside temperature: and    -   under the effect of natural convection, or of one or two        electric fans, the outgoing inside fluid 3 penetrates the device        1 through the opening 8 in the casing 4 at the opposite end 9 of        the casing 4, flows through the filter 25 then goes onto 26 the        exchange wall 5 and follows said wall in contact therewith        approximately over the length of the casing 4, a journey during        which the outgoing inside fluid 3 carries out a thermal exchange        with the incoming fluid 2 which comes from the outside 42 of the        building, then flows in the segment 16 in the reverse direction        or in a counter-current manner according to the direction of        flow along the exchange wall, before leaving the building        through the opening 11 in the casing situated at the end 7;    -   the incoming 2 and outgoing 3 fluids thus flow onto the exchange        wall 5 at the two longitudinal ends 24, 26 of said wall        approximately adjacent the two ends 9 and 7 at the end tips of        the casing 4, respectively, and flow through the wall 5        respectively on each side of said wall in a counter-current        manner so as to optimize the thermal exchange.

Each fluid 2, 3 therefore travels approximately twice the length of thecasing 4 between its inlet 8, 6 into said casing and its outlet 10, 11from said casing. The two fluids travel approximately the same forms ofjourney in the casing 4, but in the reverse direction or in acounter-current manner, and have the journeys against the exchange wall5 separated from said wall in common.

The device 1 will include any insulation necessary to obtain the bestperformances of the thermal exchanger, and notably the parts of the pipeof the incoming fluid 2 after it flows over the exchange wall 5 will beinsulated from the parts of the same pipe before it flows over theexchange wall. In the same way, parts or divisions of the device 1,providing separation between the outside environment 42 and the inside43 of the building, or between the two pipes of the incoming 2 andoutgoing 3 fluids, will be insulated in a suitable manner so that thereis no thermal loss or little thermal loss from said parts or divisions.

As an alternative to the device 1 in FIG. 1, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a device200, which is similar to said device in FIG. 1 with the difference beingthat the device 200 also includes valve means 80 that are capable ofsealing the second pipe 13 at the outlet 17 of the first face of theexchange wall 5 so as to divert the second fluid 3, or the outgoingfluid, in the first pipe 12, in order to move said outgoing fluid 3 overthe second face of the exchange wall 5. Elements that are operativelyidentical to those in the example in FIG. 1 are repeated in FIG. 3 withthe same references.

FIG. 3 shows the valve means 80 in the inoperative position, with thesecond pipe 13 not being sealed at the outlet 17 of the exchange wall 5,a position which the exchanger 200 assumes in a configuration analogousto that in FIG. 1, following which the first 2 and second 3 fluids floweach one respectively on both sides of the exchange wall 5.

FIG. 4 shows the valve means 80 in the operative position, with thesecond pipe 13 being sealed at the outlet of the exchange wall 5. Thisposition corresponds to the de-icing position of the exchanger 200,according to which the outgoing fluid 3, at a higher temperature thanthe incoming fluid 2, flows over the two opposite faces of the exchangewall 5 during a time determined as necessary for the de-icing process ofsaid wall. It must be noted that a small part of the flow of theoutgoing fluid 3 may escape through the opening 6, this latter normallybeing at a very high pressure compared with atmospheric pressure, thusfacilitating the draining or flowing away of the condensates byreheating part of the drainage pipe of said condensates as far as theopening 6; in fact, the filter 23 constitutes a loss of pressure whichis able to limit this loss of flow in a sufficient manner.

The valve means 80 will be able to adopt any form appropriate to theoperation explained above, preferably an automatically controlledsolenoid valve 81 advantageously coupled to the control system, whichcan operate either by means of manostatic difference or by means of aproportional exterior probe, which, as a function of the outsidetemperature, creates de-icing cycles. In FIG. 3, the solenoid valve 81in the inoperative position is shown in the active position with acompressed close-coil spring 82, and in FIG. 4, the solenoid valve 81 inthe inoperative position is shown with the close-coil spring 82 expandedexerting pressure on the valve gate 83 for closing the pipe 13.

A de-icing cycle operates as follows:

-   -   the solenoid valve 81 is activated so as to seal the second pipe        13 leaving the exchange wall 5, for example by abutting against        the insulator 19 as shown in FIG. 4,    -   the electric fan 28 of the first pipe 13 is activated whilst the        electric fan 27 of the second 12 pipe for incoming air is        inoperative, that is to say not activated.

Thus, the outgoing fluid 3 is at a very high pressure at the output 17of the exchange wall 5 compared with the pressure of the second pipe 12,and at a very high pressure compared with the outside atmosphericpressure, which brings about the forcing of the outgoing air 3 in thefirst pipe 12 towards the output opening 10. The fluid inside the room,being at a higher temperature than the de-icing temperature, thus flowsin a closed circuit on each side of the exchange wall 5 bringing aboutthe de-icing of said wall.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 the device 1 has been represented in a schematic mannerwithout showing the removable cartridge structure by means of which thefilters and the end fans notably, as well as the control device, can bewithdrawn at the front face through a hatch or the like. However, suchcartridge structures, one at each end of the strip-like exchange device,are particularly recommended for facilitating access to said elements inthe example in FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 the device 200 has been shown in a schematic mannerwith such cartridge structures, which are given the references 85 and 86for the first end 7 and the second end 9 of the casing 4 of the device200 respectively, and which include the filters, the electric fans, thecontrol devices and the valve means should they be necessary. Eachcartridge can be withdrawn at the front face, from the inside 43, so asto carry out maintenance or to replace an element.

For the references in FIGS. 3 and 4 that are not explicitly used in thedescription with regard to these Figures, please see the correspondingreferences in the description of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show a device 300 as an alternative to the device 200 inFIGS. 3 and 4, with the following essential close differences:

-   -   no solenoid valve on the second pipe,    -   existence of electric resistance means 301 disposed in the first        pipe 12 in the vicinity of the first inlet opening 6, so as to        reheat the first fluid 2 or the incoming fluid, in terms of the        de-icing function,    -   modification to the layout of the exchange wall 5 and of the        first 12 and second 13 pipes as follows: the exchange wall 5 is        provided in an advantageous manner as a single pleated sheet in        the form of an accordion, as shown in FIG. 7 and as in the        examples in FIGS. 1 and 3, but the pleats of the exchange wall 5        extend in a plane that is perpendicular to the surface of the        wall in which the device 300 is installed, contrary to the        second example described above with the aid of FIGS. 3 and 4, in        which the pleats of the exchange wall 5 extend in a plane that        is parallel to the outside surface of the wall in which the        device is installed.

It should be noted that the elements that are operationally identical tothose in the example in FIG. 1 or the example in FIG. 3 are repeated inFIG. 5 with the same references.

One advantageous consequence of such a layout of the exchange wall,compared with the outside surfaces of the wall, is to allow all theelements of the device, that is the filters, electric fans, controldevices, batteries where applicable . . . , to be placed in a directlyaccessible manner by means of a removable hatch on the front face ateach end of the device, thus avoiding a cartridge structure as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4.

The existence of a de-icing resistance for the incoming air, as areplacement for the solenoid valve in the example in FIGS. 3 and 4, alsoallows the use of a cartridge on the solenoid valve side to be avoided,the presence of which is necessitated in terms of access to saidsolenoid valve, notably for maintenance. The heating resistance 301 forde-icing is managed in terms of activating cycles as explained above forthe solenoid valve. The electric resistance 301 can be small in size andnot use much power in so far as the incoming air fan 27 is not active inthe de-icing cycle, only the outgoing air fan 28 being activated: thereheated flow of incoming air is therefore minimal and only induced bythe depression caused in the room.

In an alternative manner and preferred to the resistance 301, it isadvantageous to position a heating resistance (not shown), with the samefunction of de-icing the incoming air, in the second pipe 13 in thevicinity of the second inlet opening 8 for the second fluid 3, so as toreheat the second fluid 3 or the outgoing fluid before it flows over theexchange wall 5.

In FIG. 6 the areas hatched with crosses symbolize, in a partial manner,a front view of the air outlet grids so as to make reading the Figureeasier; in this same FIG. 6, it is possible that to make it easier tounderstand and read the Figure, elements have been left out of thesectional view; this is notably the case with the de-icing resistance301. FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section of the device 300 in a planeparallel to the surface of the wall, seen from the outside 42.

The outer casing 4 of the device 300 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, apart fromthe spaces reserved for the operating elements and the pipes such as aredescribed above, is advantageously filled with an insulating material.

In FIG. 7, the cross section of the device 300 is approximatelyrectangular, however any other suitable section can be used. The wall 41shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 includes a plaster plate 58 on the inside 43.

The production costs of the device 300 are lower than the productioncosts of the device 200. For the references in FIGS. 5 to 7 notexplicitly used in the description with regard to said Figures, pleasesee the corresponding references in the description of FIGS. 1 to 4.

The devices 1, 200 and 300 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, can be used in severalways. Examples of use shall now be given.

One example of application of the heat exchange device 1, 200 or 300shown, associates this latter with a room in a house or office buildingor the like, so as to enable individualized ventilation of the room, inthe following manner:

-   -   the first fluid 2 is the fluid coming into the room    -   the second fluid 3 being the fluid leaving the room,    -   the first inlet opening 6 and the second outlet opening 11 of        the incoming 2 and outgoing 3 fluids respectively open out onto        the outside 42 of the house, offices or the like, and    -   the second inlet opening 8 and the first outlet opening 10 of        the outgoing 3 and incoming 2 fluids respectively open out onto        the inside 43 of the room.

In such an example of application, the heat exchange device 1, 200 or300 can be advantageously installed within the thickness of a partitionwall or wall 41 forming the room, as represented in FIGS. 1 to 7, or canbe secured to the inside surface of the partition wall or of the wall.In the case where it is secured to the inside surface of the partitionwall or of the wall, this latter must include two through holes toconnect the openings 6 and 11, for the incoming 2 and outgoing 3 fluidsrespectively, to the outside environment 42.

In the specific case of application of a device installed in a partitionwall or a wall 41, in a preferred manner, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7,

-   -   the first fluid 2 or the incoming fluid, compared with its        direction of flow along the exchange wall 5, flows in a        counter-current manner in the first segment 14 that extends from        the outlet 15 of the exchange wall 5 as far as the first outlet        opening 10, and    -   the second fluid 3 or the outgoing fluid, compared with its        direction of flow along the exchange wall 5, flows in a        counter-current manner in the second segment 16 that extends        from the outlet 17 of the exchange wall 5 as far as the second        opening 11.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first segment 14 is arranged betweenthe exchange wall 5 and the surface 31 of the wall 41 in contact withthe inside environment 43.

Thus, as appears in FIGS. 1 to 4, from the inside environment 43 to theoutside environment 42, the following elements are located in anadvantageous manner in order when moving through the wall 41 at thelevel of the device 1 or 200 and in the major part of the latter withthe exception of its end tips including the openings 6, 11, 8, 10:

-   -   the partition wall of the casing 4 in contact with the inside        environment 43, this partition wall can be conductive or        insulating,    -   the segment 14 of the pipe 12 of the incoming fluid 2,    -   the insulating wall 18, the exchange wall 5 and the insulating        wall 19 so as to insulate the exchange wall 5 in the manner of a        sandwich between two insulating walls with the aim of optimizing        the heat transfer between both the incoming and outgoing fluids,    -   the segment 16 of the pipe 13 of the outgoing fluid 3,    -   the wall of the casing 4 in contact with the part of the wall 41        in contact with the outside environment 42,    -   the part of the wall 41 in contact with the outside environment        42.

In the examples of application according to FIGS. 1 to 4, the wall 41has part of its thickness realized in insulating material 71, facingtowards the inside 43 of the building, and part realized in constructionmaterial 72, breezeblocks, bricks or the like, facing towards theoutside 42 of the construction. The device 1 or 200 is, for example,mounted astride said two parts such that the segment 14 of the pipe 12of the incoming fluid 2, disposed after the exchange wall 5, ispreferably situated in an insulating part of the wall. The device 100is, for example, mounted astride said two parts, such that the segment16 of the pipe 13 of the outgoing fluid 3, disposed before the exchangewall 5, is preferably situated in an insulating part of the wall. In analternative manner, the device 1 or 200 can be mounted in the wall 41but jutting out towards the inside 43, the longitudinal axis 21 of thecasing 4 being, for example, aligned with the inside surface of the wall41.

Other layouts are possible, notably as represented in FIGS. 5 to 7, withthe first and second pipes, and the exchange wall situated approximatelyin a same plane parallel to the outside or inside surface of the wall.

The heat exchange device 1, 200 or 300 can be installed in, orassociated with a wall or a partition wall with its longitudinal axis inthe horizontal or approximately horizontal position, or in the verticalor approximately vertical position.

According to other examples of application (some not represented), theheat exchange device 1, 200 or 300 can be installed in, or associatedwith one of the following elements:

-   -   the lintel of an opening of a room, of the window, door or        French window type, or the like,    -   the roller blind box,    -   the frame of an opening that opens or is fixed, in a vertical or        horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8, which is to be compared, for example, with FIG. 2 or 7, in asmuch as it shows a cross sectional view of the device according to theinvention, once again shows the heat exchanger, for example the device1, 200 or 300, in which the outer casing 4 is made up by the wall 92 ofthe post for breaking the thermal bridge of the opening 93, fixed frame90 or opening frame 91, in the example shown, of the fixed frame 90including conventional thermal bridge breaks.

It should be noted that the operating elements identical to those in theexample in FIG. 1 or the example in FIG. 3 or FIG. 5, are repeated inFIG. 8 with the same references. Please therefore see the precedingdescription for these elements that have not been explicitly describedby way of FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 once again shows the exchange wall 5, the insulators 18 and 19 onboth sides of said exchange wall 5, and the pipes 12 and 13 for theincoming 2 and outgoing 3 fluids respectively. The pipe 14 for theincoming fluid after it has flowed over the exchange wall is positionedon the inside 43, and the pipe 16 for the outgoing fluid 3 is positionedon the outside 42, as shown.

The exchange wall 5 on the assembly in FIG. 8 is preferably surroundedby insulation, either added to the post, or forming thermal bridgebreaking strips of the fixed frame itself when said fixed frame isrealized with metal sections. The generally metal walls 92 of the fixedframe 90 can be non-insulated, as shown, in so far as they are situatedapproximately and respectively at the temperature of the incoming oroutgoing fluid which flows behind them.

In an alternative manner, the device 1, 200, 300 shown can be installed:

-   -   horizontally or sloping in the ceiling,    -   in the floor, when the house has sufficient plumbing space,    -   in an opening frame in the roofing.

In all the embodiments of the device according to the invention, notablyrepresented in FIGS. 1 to 8, it should be noted that it is also possibleto install any known additional means for heating the incoming air 2,according to need, preferably by a heating element or another water-typeheating means, a heat pump or the like, positioned between the outlet 15of the exchange wall 5 for the incoming air 2 and the outlet opening 10for the incoming air 2, preferably in the vicinity of the outlet opening10 (not shown).

In all the embodiments of the device according to the invention, notablyrepresented in FIGS. 1 to 8, it should be noted that it is also possibleto install any known carbon monoxide CO detecting sensor (not shown),preferably placed in the first pipe 12 for the outgoing air, before theexchange wall 5, either between the inlet opening 8 of the outgoing air3 and the inlet of this latter on the exchange wall 5. This carbonmonoxide sensor can be coupled advantageously to the operation of theelectric fan or fans or turbines 27, 28 where applicable, so as toincrease the input flow of new air flowing in the first pipe 12 for theincoming air 2, and/or be coupled to an alarm which provides a warningof the presence of an abnormal rate of carbon monoxide, in line with thestandards in force.

In all the embodiments of the device according to the invention, notablyrepresented in FIGS. 1 to 8, it should be noted that it is also possibleto install any known presence sensor (not shown), for example infraredray or another sensor, positioned on the outside of the outer casing 4at a suitable position for said sensor or in any other position in theroom in which the device according to the invention is installed, withregard to the exercising of the expected function of detection of thepresence of a person in said room. Said presence detector, in anadvantageous manner, will be able to be coupled to the operation of theelectric fan or fans or turbines 27, 28 where necessary, so as tocontrol the operation of these latter if a person is present,particularly so as to increase their flow when there is a person in theroom, with the associated length of time set, or not. Such a deviceenables power saving relating to the operation of the electric fan orfans or turbines.

The device according to the invention provides a power consumptionsaving as it enables losses in the intake and delivery piping ofcentralized installations to be avoided.

Moreover, the structure of the device according to the invention,allowing a large gap between the inlet and outlet openings of thefluids, as explained above, strongly reduces, even avoids, the mixing ofthe incoming and outgoing fluids, and thus substantially optimizes theperformance of the exchanger as regards the quality of the renewing ofthe air in a room.

1. Device (1) enabling the exchange of heat between at least one first(2) and one second fluid (3), said device including: an outer casing (4)sealed against the first and second fluids, at least one partition wall(5) enabling the exchange of heat between the first and second fluids,said wall being housed inside said outer casing, a first inlet opening(6), for the first fluid (2), formed at a first end (7) of the outercasing, a second inlet opening (8), for the second fluid (3), formed ata second end (9) of the outer casing (4), opposite the first end (7) ofsaid casing, said outer casing (4) having a long shape extending betweenits first (7) and second (9) ends, said exchange wall (5) extendingbetween said first (6) and second (8) fluid inlet openings, a firstoutlet opening (10), for extracting the first fluid (2) from the outercasing (4), a second outlet opening (11), for extracting the secondfluid (3) from the outer casing (4), a first pipe (12) enabling thefirst fluid (2) to flow inside the outer casing (4) between the firstinlet opening (6) and the first outlet opening (10) of said first fluid,part of the wall of said pipe being made up by a first face of saidexchange wall, a second pipe (13) enabling the second fluid (3) to flowinside the outer casing (4) between the second inlet opening (8) and thesecond outlet opening (11) of said second fluid, part of the wall ofsaid pipe being up by a second face of said exchange wall opposite thefirst face, said first and said second fluids being intended to flow ina counter-current manner on both sides of the exchange wall,characterized in that: said first outlet opening (10), for the firstfluid (2), is formed in the region of said first end (7) of the outercasing (4), said second outlet opening (11), for the second fluid (3),is formed in the region of said second end (9) of the outer casing (4),in such a manner that said second outlet opening (11) for the secondfluid (3), and said first inlet opening (6), for the first fluid (2),are separated by a distance equal to or greater than the length (

) of the exchange wall, and in such a manner that said first outletopening (10) for the first fluid (2), and said second inlet opening (8),for the second fluid (3), are separated by a distance equal to orgreater than the length (

) of the exchange wall.
 2. Device (1) enabling the exchange of heataccording to claim 1, characterized in that: said first inlet opening(6) for the first fluid (2), and said second outlet opening (11) for thesecond fluid (3), are situated on a same first side (30) of said outercasing (4), said second inlet opening (8) for the second fluid (3), andsaid first outlet opening (10) for the first fluid (2), being situatedon a same second side (31) of said outer casing (4), opposite the firstside (30).
 3. Device (1) enabling the exchange of heat according toclaim 1, characterized in that: said first pipe (12) for the first fluid(2) includes a first segment (14) which extends along the exchange wall(5) without contacting said exchange wall, and in that said second pipe(13) for the second fluid (3) includes a second segment (16) thatextends along the exchange wall (5), without contacting said exchangepartition wall.
 4. Device (1) enabling the exchange of heat according toclaim 3, characterized in that: said first segment (14) extends from theexchange wall (5) as far as the first outlet opening (10), following theexchange wall and parallel to said exchange wall, and in that saidsecond segment (16) extends from the exchange wall (5) as far as thesecond outlet opening (11), following the exchange wall and parallel tosaid exchange wall.
 5. Device (1) enabling the exchange of heataccording to claim 1, characterized in that said device also comprises:a first insulating wall (18) disposed between the exchange wall (5) andsaid first segment (14) of the first pipe (12), and a second insulatingwall (19) disposed between the exchange wall (5) and said second segment(16) of the second pipe (13), said first (18) and said second (19)insulating walls being disposed on both sides of the exchange wall (5)and at least along the length of said exchange wall.
 6. Device enablingthe exchange of heat according to claim 1, characterized in that: saidfirst inlet opening (6) for the first fluid (2) and said first outletopening (10) for the first fluid (2) are disposed on the outer casing(4) approximately in an opposite manner, so that the inlet and theoutlet of the first fluid (2) are approximately carried out following afirst direction (20) perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to alongitudinal axis (21) of extension of the outer casing (4) with a longshape, and in that said second inlet opening (8) for the second fluid(3) and said second outlet opening (11) for the second fluid (3) aredisposed on the outer casing (4) approximately in an opposite manner, sothat the inlet and outlet of the second fluid (3) are approximatelycarried out following a second direction (22) perpendicular orapproximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (21) of extension ofthe outer casing (4) with a long shape.
 7. Device enabling the exchangeof heat according to claim 6, characterized in that said first (20) andsaid second (22) directions are parallel or approximately parallel. 8.Device (200) enabling the exchange of heat according to claim 1,characterized in that said device also comprises valve means (80)capable of sealing said second pipe (13) at the outlet (17) of the firstface of said exchange wall (5) so as to divert the second fluid (3), orthe outgoing fluid, in said first pipe (12), in order to move saidoutgoing fluid (3) over the second face of said exchange wall (5). 9.Device (300) enabling the exchange of heat according to claim 1,characterized in that said device also comprises electric resistancemeans (301) disposed in said first pipe (12) in the vicinity of thefirst inlet opening (6), so as to reheat the first fluid (2) or theincoming fluid before it moves along the exchange partition wall. 10.Device (300) enabling the exchange of heat according to claim 1,characterized in that said device also comprises electric resistancemeans disposed in said second pipe (13) in the vicinity of the secondinlet opening (8) for the second fluid (3), so as to supply an injectionof heat to the second fluid (2) or the outgoing fluid before it movesalong the exchange partition wall.
 11. Device enabling the exchange ofheat according to claim 1, characterized in that said device alsocomprises: first filtering means (23) for the first fluid (2), disposedin the outer casing (4) across said first pipe (12) enabling the firstfluid (2) to flow in the outer casing, between the inlet opening (6) ofthe first fluid in the outer casing (4) and the inlet (24) of the firstfluid (2) on the exchange partition wall (5), and second filtering means(25) for the second fluid (3), disposed in the outer casing (4) acrosssaid second pipe (13) enabling the second fluid (3) to flow in the outercasing (4), between the inlet opening (8) of the second fluid (3) in theouter casing (4) and the inlet (26) of the second fluid (3) on theexchange partition wall (5).
 12. Device enabling the exchange of heataccording to claim 1, characterized in that said device also comprisesat least one of the first and second electric fan means below: firstelectric fan means (27) disposed in said first pipe (12), so as togenerate a flow of the first fluid (2) in said pipe, and second electricfan means (28) disposed in said second pipe (13), so as to generate aflow of the second fluid (3) in said pipe.
 13. Device enabling theexchange of heat according to claim 12, characterized in that saiddevice also comprises electricity generating means (35), disposed atleast in part in front of said first inlet opening (6), or in front ofsaid second outlet opening (11), so as to supply said first (27) andsecond (28) electric fan means with electricity in an independentmanner.
 14. Device enabling the exchange of heat according to claim 13,characterized in that said electricity generating means (35) comprisephotovoltaic cells (48, 49).
 15. Device enabling the exchange of heataccording to claim 1, characterized in that said device includes meansfor draining off the condensates through said first inlet opening (6) ofthe first fluid (2).
 16. Use of a device enabling the exchange of heataccording claim 1, characterized in that said device enabling theexchange is associated with a room in a house, offices or the like, soas to allow individualized ventilation of said room: said first fluid(2) being the fluid coming into said room, said second fluid (3) beingthe fluid leaving said room, said first inlet opening (6) and secondoutlet opening (11), of the first (2) and second (3) fluidsrespectively, opening out onto the outside of the house, offices or thelike, and said second inlet opening (8) and first outlet opening (10),of the second (3) and first (2) fluids respectively, opening out ontothe inside of said room.
 17. Use according to claim 16, characterized inthat said device enabling the exchange of heat is installed in thethickness of a partition wall or a wall (41) forming said room, or issecured to the inside surface of said partition wall.
 18. Use accordingto claim 17, characterized in that said device is installed in a wall(41), and in that: said first fluid (2) or the incoming fluid, comparedwith its direction of flow along the exchange wall (5), flows in acounter-current manner in said first segment (14) extending from theoutlet (15) of the exchange wall (5) as far as the first outlet opening(10), and in that said second fluid (3) or the outgoing fluid, comparedwith its direction of flow along the exchange wall (5), flows in acounter-current manner in said second segment (16) extending from theoutlet (17) of the exchange wall (5) as far as the second opening (11).19. Use according to claim 18, characterized in that said first segment(14) is disposed between the exchange wall (5) and the surface (31) ofthe wall (41) in contact with the inside environment (43).
 20. Useaccording to claim 16, characterized in that said device (1) enablingthe exchange of heat is installed in, or associated with, one of thefollowing elements: a lintel of an opening of said room, of the window,door or French window type, or the like, a roller blind box, a frame ofan opening that has an opening frame or a fixed frame.
 21. Use accordingto claim 16, characterized in that a longitudinal axis of said device(1) for exchanging heat is disposed horizontally or approximatelyhorizontally.
 22. Use according to claim 16, characterized in that alongitudinal axis of said device (1) for exchanging heat is disposedvertically or approximately vertically.